How to Make a Collage Using Old Maps

Written by diane steinbach

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Making collages can be a fun and satisfying artistic endeavour that lets even the most clumsy artist create beautiful and unique works of art. Finding interesting collage materials can take your ideas and make them a truly individualised art form that can highlight your personal style. Coloured road maps are easy to find and offer the collage artist an inexpensive medium and an interesting textural material to work with. Take the map-collage another step further by using historical maps and antiqued world maps in your piece. Ready to get started? Let's go!

Skill level:

Moderately Easy

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Things you need

A variety of coloured maps including road maps and world maps

Scissors

1 Pre-stretched canvas

Black acrylic paint

Modge Podge or other collage medium

Paint brushes

Water containers

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Instructions

1

Gather your materials. Get a bunch of old road maps from family and friends, and search through sources like Goodwill to find cheap map books with terrific world and topical maps you can use. National Geographic magazine is another terrific resource, so take your time and gather plenty of maps to work with for your collage.

2

Prepare your canvas. Paint a solid black background on your pre-stretched canvas (size is your choice) with acrylic paints. This will help "fill" in the spots between layers of maps and help make your piece look fuller and more cohesive. Let dry fully.

Begin applying map pieces to your black background using your collage medium. Modge Podge or other collage shellac will adhere your maps to the canvas and help create a sheen on the finished project. Layer and angle your map pieces until the canvas is filled then go over with a final coat of collage shellac.

5

Allow to dry and display.

Tips and warnings

Use old maps from antique or vintage books for a rich colour and cohesive theme display.